CONVERSATION
Co-owner, Chairman and CEO, Green Savoree Racing Promotions
13 January/February 2019 StPeteLifeMag.com
Kim Green
into uncharted territory for Kim Green. Even though he had
three decades of experience in motorsports -- his company,
Indianapolis-based Green Savoree Racing Promotions, which he
co-owns with Kevin Savoree, runs races in Toronto, Mid-Ohio
of money, and a learning curve for a city with no experience
putting on a world-class auto race.
Now 15 years later, the native Australian is still in the race. After
come full circle, learning what it takes to put on an economically
sound and successful street race in St. Pete without losing your
proverbial pants.
decided to make St. Pete home in 2015. He was impressed
with the city, he says, everything from its friendly residents to
the restaurants, art museums, waterfront, and of course, the
beautiful weather year-round. “One of the reasons I moved here
is that it feels very friendly,” he relates. “It’s what I call a hidden
gem, not too big, not too small, with great restaurants and
gorgeous beaches.”
Putting on the city’s largest weekend event each year has been
a labor of love for Green. What’s he most proud of?
“I think we have built an event bigger than a race,” says Green.
“We have more resident activities like a 5K race on the track, car
themed movies showing at a nearby park, we’ve really tried to
grow the weekend. We use mostly local contractors, so the race
creates a lot of business for the local economy.”
city is very good,” he says. “All the departments are involved
and they value it as an event that brings business and worldwide
exposure. … Our relationship with downtown businesses has
gotten better, too. We want everything to be a win-win.”
So what’s the word on the track? Do the teams and drivers like
“The teams and drivers really do enjoy coming here,” says
Green. “It’s a beautiful city, the racetrack works very well and
they enjoy driving it.”
Kim Green and Kevin Savoree, far right,
join Mayor Kriseman in applauding
Bourdais.
/StPeteLifeMag.com